 A 14-track holiday-themed indie album, You Wish, was released on November 22 by Merge Records to commemorate their thirtieth anniversary. With features from a diverse array of artists—from Mike Krol to Coco Hames—this album offers a buffet of musical selection. The album did not disappoint; its wide musical talents bring a fresh perspective to modern holiday music.
The first track on the album, Coco Hames’ “Keep Your Christmas,” made a pleasant first impression. This track features a low guitar, and Hames’ dominant voice, creating a sound similar to that of The Roches, but with the resonance of a bell. The song maintains an engrossing melody and serves as an anthem for anyone who wants to rebel against Christmas customs. Mike Krol’s “Won’t Be Alone Tonight” is one of the best on the album. The track centers around a common theme of Krol’s: young love. Krol delivers his usual power guitar sound and fuzzy vocals but this time with a glittering sleigh bell and bright chime accompaniment. His angsty-teenager-in-love persona—resembling the main character in the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World—coupled with garage rock sounds and sparkling effects make the tune come to life. Furthermore, Mikal Cronin, a long-running member of Ty Segall’s band, displayed his talents in “Christmastime Heist.” A tune that channels the energy of one trapped in a Christmas maze who paces to find an exit but only finds more lights and holly, this song features an upbeat piano and spiraling sound effects that add to the feeling of frenzy. This is the perfect song to listen to when entangled in holiday mayhem. Later in the album, Hiss Golden Messenger and Lucinda Williams present a different type of holiday music with “Christmas in Prison.” This tune is soothing rather than frantic. The soft piano allows the voices of Messenger and Williams to tell a narrative and spill their emotions. Their story reflects the cheerful gloom that prisoners feel around Christmastime (“There'll be music tonight/I'll probably get homesick/I love you, goodnight”). Listen to this song when in need of a break from mainstream pop music. Listen to You Wish over the holidays when in need of a change from conventional holiday music—this album will not disappoint. ~Ally Lozano- Copy Editor
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Happy holidays from the SC Correspondent Online! As we reflect back on 2019, the stories that echo through these halls make me appreciative of the students who make this publication worthwhile. While for many of us, Christmas Break marks the beginning of our last semester of high school, there's still so many memories left to archive. Thank you for appreciating the stories we cultivate as young journalists!
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